The Busara Center for Behavioral Economics is an advisory and research organization focused on the evaluation and implementation of behavioral interventions in understudied countries and populations. Busara's mission is to work with researchers and organizations to advance and apply behavioral science in pursuit of poverty alleviation. This role involves the application of behavioral science to food systems, agriculture, and climate adaptation challenges.
Role Overview
As a Senior Associate, you will work closely with Busara offices and directly with academic researchers and advisory clients to perform a variety of tasks including client leadership, technical research execution, and project management.
Key Responsibilities
Client & Advisory Leadership
- Own the client relationship across the full engagement lifecycle — from scoping and contracting through delivery and dissemination.
- Lead senior-level conversations with donors, implementing partners, ministries, and private sector clients; anticipate needs, navigate complexity, and manage expectations proactively.
- Translate client problems into well-defined research and advisory briefs; push back constructively when questions are ill-formed or scope is misaligned.
- Develop proposals, concept notes, and pitch decks; contribute to business development within the food systems and climate resilience space.
- Represent Busara at conferences, technical working groups, and client convenings — presenting findings with clarity and confidence to non-specialist and expert audiences alike.
Qualitative Research & Technical Execution
- Design and lead qualitative research components — including in-depth interviews (IDIs), focus group discussions (FGDs), ethnographic observation, and participatory methods — with rigor and cultural sensitivity.
- Synthesize qualitative evidence into coherent, actionable narratives; identify behavioral drivers and barriers embedded in complex social and institutional contexts.
- Apply behavioral science frameworks (e.g., COM-B, dual process theory, social norms models) to agricultural and climate adaptation challenges.
- Oversee mixed-methods research design, ensuring qualitative and quantitative workstreams are well-integrated and mutually reinforcing.
- Maintain quality control across all research outputs — guides, transcripts, codebooks, analysis memos, and final reports.
Project & People Management
- Own project timelines, budgets, deliverables, and staffing plans; escalate risks early and manage scope proactively.
- Directly manage and mentor Analysts and Project Leads embedded on your engagements; build their research and advisory skills through active coaching.
- Coordinate across Busara's Data, Programming, and Operations teams to ensure smooth execution of field and remote research activities.
- Contribute to onboarding and knowledge management so institutional learning is captured and usable.
Organizational Contribution
- Contribute to FaRM team strategy and knowledge development — including internal research, sector thought pieces, and methodology innovation.
- Participate in hiring, onboarding, and performance management of junior team members.
- Champion a culture of intellectual rigor, constructive feedback, and psychological safety within your project teams.
Requirements and Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (Social Sciences, Development Studies, Agricultural Economics, Public Policy, or related).
- Experience: 5–8 years of experience in research, advisory, or program design roles with a meaningful focus on food systems, agriculture, or climate resilience in sub-Saharan Africa or comparable contexts.
- Technical Skills: Deep expertise in qualitative research methods (IDIs, FGDs, thematic analysis) and synthesis with strong fieldwork experience in low-resource settings.
- Project Management: Proven track record leading complex, multi-stakeholder projects from inception to delivery.
- Relationship Management: Demonstrated ability to manage senior client and partner relationships with confidence and clarity.
- Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication in English; able to write for both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Analytical Skills: Strong ability to turn messy qualitative data into a crisp, defensible argument.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should apply online by visiting the Busara Center portal on Lever via the following link: Apply Here
